Teenage Job Develops into Career

Scott Jenkins, Owner of American Frame and Art Supply, probably never dreamed a teenage job would lead to a career in picture framing. Scott grew up in rural Collinsville, where there were more cornfields than businesses. From the time he was 15 years old until he graduated from high school, he did odd jobs on the farm of a neighbor. One of those jobs, in addition to mowing grass and painting fences, was working in his neighbor�s wholesale frame shop.

After high school, Scott enrolled in business classes at nearby Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with specialties in marketing and management in 1985.

Scott always had the dreamed of owning his own business. Shortly after graduation, he found a position in a familiar profession. �As luck would have it, I got a job in picture framing.� he said. That job was assistant manager of Frame Shops of St. Louis, Inc.

A year later he became the manager of Deck the Walls, a frame shop in St. Clair Square shopping mall. Still, the dream of owning his own business remained a high priority. �By that time I had worked in the two basic phases of the industry, both wholesale and retail.� he said. �I decided to try it on my own.�

Financing was tight. After approaching a number of banks, Scott found a local bank that agreed to make a Small Business Association guaranteed loan. The new business was finally going to be a reality.

In July 1989, American Frame & Gallery was born in Winchester Plaza in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The business specialized in high quality custom picture framing and a variety of artwork, from originals to limited editions to posters. In the winter of 2008, the business was expanded with the addition of artist supplies and a move to a bigger space at Chateau Plaza. The business now known as American Frame & Art Supply, still specializes in high quality custom picture framing with an emphasis on framing the unusual. In fact, the business card states �We Frame Weird Stuff!�, (See the Weird Stuff I Framed list). With 1500 Square feet dedicated to artist supplies, anyone from the student artist to the pro is sure to find something to satisfy their creative needs.